ISRO to Launch NVS-03 on October 30 to Salvage NavIC System
ISRO is preparing to launch the 2,232 kg NVS-03 satellite aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket on October 30 to compensate for the NavIC system dropping below four operational satellites.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch the NVS-03 satellite aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket on October 30, 2026, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The satellite weighs approximately 2,232 kilograms and is scheduled to be placed in a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
The mission comes after the NavIC navigation system dropped below four operational satellites, the minimum required to provide an independent service, due to atomic clock failures and the aging of some satellites.
The new satellite adds civilian compatibility with the L1 band, enabling the system to be used in a broader range of civilian receivers.
What do these terms mean?
NavIC: The Indian regional navigation satellite system that provides positioning and timing services in and around India.
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit: A temporary orbit used by the launch vehicle to deliver the satellite to a higher trajectory before the satellite completes its maneuvers to its final orbit.
L1 Band: A radio frequency used by global navigation systems, adding compatibility with widespread civilian receivers.
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